AVIAN INFLUENZA: FAO UPDATE ON ANIMAL SITUATION IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000087 SIPDIS FROM THE U.S. MISSION TO THE UN AGENCIES IN ROME STATE FOR IO/EDA, EUR/SE, NEA/ENA, EA/SEA, OES/IHA USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA GGOTTLIEB, PMORRIS; GH/KHILL AND DCARROLL; EGAT A/AA JSMITH; ANE/ACLEMENTS; AFR/MHARVEY; EE/MTROSTLE USDA FOR OSEC STUMP/PENN/BUTLER/LAMBERT, FAS PETTRIE/HUGHES/CLERKIN, APHIS CLIFFORD/DUVERNOY GENEVA FOR NKYLOH/USAID BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER PARIS FOR GCARNER USEUCOM FOR ECJ4 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID CASC SENV SOCI TBIO TU FAO WHO AVIAN INFLUENZA SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA: FAO UPDATE ON ANIMAL SITUATION IN TURKEY REF: (A) ROME 3949; (B) ROME 3320; (C) ROME 2979; (D) ROME 1142; (E) ROME 3976 ¶1. Summary. Responding to alarming media reports on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) outbreaks in Turkey, on January 9, USMISSION UN Rome asked Juan Lubroth, FAO Senior Veterinary Officer (SVO),to share with us FAO's assessment of the situation in Turkey and ongoing work to control the situation. FAO believes there have been 14 animal outbreaks in 10 provinces, with great potential for escalation. In addition, FAO notes that 27 human patients are under investigation for possible exposure. FAO has received Euro 50,000 from the European Commission (EC) to support H5N1 control efforts in Turkey. Two FAO staff members, including the SVO, received authorization on January 9 from the Government of Turkey (GoT) to travel to Turkey today to assist in efforts to assess the situation. FAO believes there is potential for escalation in animal outbreaks. End Summary ¶2. According to Lubroth, despite slow reaction by the GoT's Ag Ministry to involve FAO, the organization has been communicating closely with the World Health Organization (WHO),the European Union (EU),the EC and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on the H5N1 outbreaks in Turkey since January 7. In addition, the GoT's Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) has been in close contact with FAO, advocating broad support for any course of action required to control the outbreaks in poultry and other fowl. On January 9, the EC contributed Euro 50,000 to FAO to support H5N1 control efforts in affected provinces. Effective January 10, FAO is sending a two- member team, including its SVO, to assess the situation and make recommendations on a course of action. The team will remain in Turkey through January, with staff members rotating from FAO headquarters in Rome. ¶3. At present, based on current reporting from Turkey, FAO believes there have been 14 animal outbreaks in 10 provinces, with great potential for escalation. It is not yet known whether this information is new or if this is old information recently uncovered. In addition, Lubroth indicated that 27 human patients are under investigation for possible exposure. Lubroth also noted that local veterinary authorities are working diligently to control the outbreaks, and he has been asked to make high-level contacts within the GoT to ensure continued cooperation and collaboration. ¶4. Lubroth has expressed a willingness to meet with and brief USG personnel in Turkey. Please contact USMISSION UN Rome staff member Harriet Spanos, at SpanosH@state.gov or +39-06-4674-3515, to be put into contact with Dr. Lubroth. USMISSION UN Rome will continue to cover and widely disseminate information on FAO activities to combat and control H5N1. HALL